The Meeting…
They met at a little beach bar in Emerald Isle on the Fourth of July weekend, 2010. Rocky was dressed in work clothes and heavy boots, as he had spent the day helping a friend move, and Jennifer had plans to just briefly stop by to see a band she had hired for a previous engagement for her work. What started out for both of them as a brief stop, turned into an evening of conversation and dancing.

The Proposal…
Rocky is an active-duty Marine and used a bomb disposal robot to surprise Jennifer at work with a ring. He then walked in behind the robot in Dress Blues to propose. Jennifer’s friends and family were in attendance.

The Details…
The wedding was and Ivory & Wine military-themed affair. The groom’s cake was an old fashioned bomb, as Rocky is a technician on the bomb squad. There was a hall of swords when the bride and groom departed the ceremony. The Barn at Fearrington, with its combination of rural ambiance and classy atmosphere are complimentary to Rocky’s Montana life mixed with Jennifer’s Chapel Hill upbringing. The barn was outfitted with beautiful linens and lighting on the ceiling which created a romantic setting.

“Hi Chris/Toni, Wow, the film is amazing. We love it!!!! Thank you so much!”…Jennifer, Bride

“Thanks so much, you did a fabulous job, can’t wait to see the rest of their day! You really captured the spirit of the whole event!”…Carolyn, MOB

“Jennifer + Rocky, what an honor to capture your story. One of our favorite moments was watching all the guys walk to the ceremony, what a powerful display! We wish you both the best!”…Chris + Toni

Crew
Venue | Fearrington Village
Event Planner | Angie Wright, Chic Details Weddings & Events
Photographer | Dara Blakeley Photography
Cake Artist | Jill, Fearrington Cakes
Florist | Mary, Fearrington Flowers
DJ | Joe Bunn, Joe Bunn DJ Company
Hair/Make up | Bella Trio

This all starts when we met Brian a couple months ago, he wanted to surprise Brittany and the guests with a film of the wedding day to show at the reception before their first dance, this is called a same day edit. It was one of the most exciting experiences we’ve ever had! We got to know Brian very well before the wedding and enjoyed working with him to bring his vision to reality.
There were several parts to this and a ton of pre-production and shooting went into it…first and foremost we planned everything out and knew exactly what we were going to do before we picked up a camera. We went to the Umstead 3 different days the week of the wedding to get sunrise, sunset and location shots. We had a crew of 3 on the wedding day; Chris was the dedicated editor and also shot in between editing and dumping footage, Toni was the other main shooter and Jeff Brewer came out to help us as 3rd shooter. We were constantly bringing Chris footage to dump, it was crazy but fortunately everything was at the Umstead which made it very easy. There were 3 different angles involved in the edit; Brian, Brittany and their adorable son Thomas. Brian wanted everything leading up to the ceremony, and a few shots of the ceremony in the film. We had 2 hours from the time the ceremony ended until the film was shown. About 30 minutes before the ceremony it started sprinkling rain and guests were moved inside, we grabbed our gear and ran for shelter, it quickly passed and everybody reset for the ceremony in a matter of minutes. Everything moved so fast and everybody jumped in and it was great.
Chris is highly competitive, being an athlete his whole life gives him a huge advantage in situations like this and he totally excels. He definitely edited like the true champ that he is, his competitive/athletic nature kicked in, he was completely focused and it was game on, he didn’t break a sweat and loved the challenge. I am used to high pressure situations as well, coming from a theatre/dance background it was just like preparing for a major performance, I started getting excited butterflies the closer it got to showtime, I got nervous the last 15 minutes because I was really only concerned with the technical aspect of how long it was going to take to export the film and our computer not freezing up last minute. Chris walked in the reception, handed the computer to the Creative Visions team, they plugged it in, got it set, the band announced the bride and groom, Brittany & Brian entered and went right to the dance floor for what Brittany and everybody else thought was their first dance, and bam there it was, our film on a huge screen provided by Creative Visions. I didn’t get to see the whole film because I had my camera on Brittany and Brian to get their reaction and anytime I looked at the screen I teared up. I just remember in that moment I was overwhelmed with amazing emotions and brought back to when I used to dance/perform on stage and it was a great feeling, Chris was also shooting their reaction and was overwhelmed with excitement, seeing what we just shot on a big screen and being able to witness first hand everybody’s reaction was the most exhilarating experience. It was totally rewarding and one of the greatest moments we have experienced. We couldn’t have been blessed with a better couple that is more in love to share this experience with, than Brittany and Brian. Brian had high expectations and to know that we exceeded them meant everything to us!

“Chris and Toni, An email alone can’t come close to thank you for what you pulled off last night. I know you have done hundreds if not thousands of videos over the years. I am in the business to provide bucket list events to others, it’s what I have a passion for. What I experienced last night will never leave me. I will remember it for the rest of my life! When someone creates that for you an email alone just doesn’t seem  enough. I hope on this rainy Sunday you are both together and appreciate your gift of making memories for others!! Thank you again!!”…Brian, Groom

This would not have been possible without the amazing and talented crew involved, this was a group of truly talented and creative professionals and everybody played a big part. HUGE shout out to everybody involved in this experience and to everybody that helped pull this off, we couldn’t have done it without any of you, it was very much a bonding experience and one we will remember forever, Thank You, we heart you all!!

Crew

Venue | Umstead Hotel & Spa
Event Designer, Planner | Ivy Robinson, Ivy Robinson Weddings & Events
Photographer | Walters & Walters 
Cinematographer | Heart Stone Films
Lighting, Projector, Screen | Creative Visions
Florist | Kelly Odom
Cake Artist | The Art of Cake
Band | Heather Hayes Band
Make up Artist | Ginger Mullins
Rentals, Linens, Furniture | CE Rentals, Classic Party Rentals,Party Tables, American Furniture Rental
Ice Sculpture | Ice Occasions
Photo Booth | Kevin Milz Photography
Dancers | Elevate

Thank you to Walters & Walters for these amazing reaction photos, it was a blast working with you as always!

The Meeting...

It was October 2009 at an NC State football game. This was all thanks to her best friend, Austin. Austin was tailgating with David and a few other friends when she told him she was going to go see her friend Katie. David jokingly said to Austin, “Oh, what does your friend Katie look like?” At that moment, Austin knew she had to introduce us. She told David, “I will be back, and I’m bringing her with me!”
They met later that day…and after hanging out after the football game, a few weeks of talking on the phone, and many weekends burning up the roads between Greensboro & Raleigh, David finally made it official in November 2009 and they have barely spent a moment apart since!

The Proposal…

It was Thursday, May 26th. It started out like any other day. Little did she know it was going to be the best day of her life…so far!
5:45pm - Her first real class meeting of summer school. The class was supposed to meet from 6-10pm, but given that there were only 7 students, she thought surely she would be done by 8pm. David was still at work, so she called him and told him she thought she would be home by 8:00. He told her that he would have dinner ready when she got home. (No surprise there! He’s definitely the culinary inclined one.)
5:59pm - Being the good student that she is, she arrived to class put her phone on vibrate and in her purse. She and her partner were first to present in the class, she was a little nervous, so after she finished their presentation, she was so relieved and thinking of nothing else but “boy, am I glad that’s over.” She also didn’t hear the phone vibrate with a message asking “What time do you think you’ll be home?”
7:30pm - The last presentation is now finished. She grabbed her things, searched in her purse for the car keys and fish out her phone. There was a few emails and other messages. She read the message from David, “What time do you think you’ll be home?” Oops, didn’t see that earlier, she thought. She got in her car and drove the whole 2.5 miles home. She called David and said, “I’m on my way home now!” He said, “Ok, see you soon, I have dinner ready!” She hung up with him and as she was sitting at a stoplight, thumbing through her emails, she sees there’s one from her boss. She had been anxiously waiting to hear if she had been chosen for the job that she had just applied for. She quickly skimmed the email and found the line that said, “Your name has been sent to the Vice President in recommendation for this position.” Still sitting at the stoplight, she’s sure the car next to her thought she was crazy as she did a little celebratory dance! She was only about 4 blocks from home, so she decided to tell David when she got there. The light turns green and she calls her mom to tell her the good news; ”Mom, guess what?!?” They both scream with excitement and continue talking as she pulls into the condo. Mom said, “You have to call your grandmother, she will be so excited to hear this.” As mom’s saying this, she’s pulling into the spot and noticed rose petals on the stairwell on her side of the building. Her mind began wandering, but not certain they’re for her since her stairwell is shared with 5 other units. She tells her mom that she will call Grandma shortly and will call her back soon.
She walks up the stairs delicately, trying not step on the rose petals. She walks in the back entrance to the house and finds a dozen roses, candles lit, and the table set for dinner. At this point she’s thinking, awwwwe David is being so sweet! But then, she looks around and doesn’t see David anywhere. She started calling out, “Where are you?!” Then she heard a knock at the front door. When she opened it, David was on one knee, ring in hand, asking “Will you marry me?!” The first thing out of her mouth was “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!” Then she shouted “YES!” He put the ring on her finger, they laughed, kissed, hugged, and she cried… Then she told him, “Oh hey, by the way, I got the job!” More cheering, more laughing, more kissing, more hugging, more crying (on her part)!

Why New Years Eve?

“Well I think it being New Year’s Eve makes the day even more special than a normal wedding. It’s so exciting to end an amazing year by marrying your best friend and start a new year that’s the beginning of the rest of our lives.”…Katie, Bride

Love Letters 

“Chris & Toni, Ohhhhh myyyyy gosh!!!!!! This is AMAZING!!!!!! My mom and I just watched it and we’re crying and laughing!!!!! We absolutely LOVE it!!! And that was only watching it on my phone I can’t wait to watch it on my big screen it at home!!!! Thank you guys so much for capturing our day. This is so special!! And we are SO GLAD we did this! You two are so talented it is unbelievable! Thank you for sharing your gift I’m probably going to watch it a thousand times this weekend!!!!!! We will never be able to thank you enough!!! Love, Katie & David”…Bride + Groom

Crew

Bridal Prep/Reception | Adaumont Farm
Ceremony | Jamestown United Methodist Church
Photographer | Kellie Kano Photography
Cake Artist | Wanda Overman
Catering | Southern Roots
Florist | Randy McManus Designs
DJ/Band | Empty Pocket
Hair/Make up | Hair-Jessica Sharpe, Make Up- Laura Meredith, Dolce Vita Salon

Wedding Wire Review

5.0 out of 5.0	Quality of Service:		(5.0/5.0)
	Responsiveness:		(5.0/5.0)
	Professionalism:		(5.0/5.0)
	Value:		(5.0/5.0)
	Flexibility:		(5.0/5.0)

Chris & Toni are absolutely amazing and extremely talented!!! I fall more and more in love with our video every time I watch it! What they put together is absolutely beautiful. Our film brings tears from almost everyone who watches it (even those who were not AT our wedding). They were SO professional! One of my bridesmaids said “I don’t even remember someone videoing us!” They were able to capture every moment in a behind the scenes way! For those who are thinking they might skip videography to save money…DON’T!!! We almost did and I can tell you I would have been regretting it every day. I am so glad we went with Heart Stone Films!! Chris & Toni are unbelievably talented. They gave us such a special gift that we will cherish forever!

PS-check out their website you can watch videos and get to know Chris & Toni! their story is so precious, just like they are!

The Meeting…
It was a fall evening in 2003, she was walking with her girlfriends on campus at East Carolina University. He happened to be on the way to his dorm at the same time. While crossing paths, she tripped and fell into a bush. He extended his hand and helped her up. After they parted ways, they happened to meet again a few weeks later through friends that lived in her dorm. He asked her to come over to his dorm to watch Monday night football. Although she hates football, she agreed so that she could see him again. They hit it off and have been together ever since!

The Proposal…
Because they lived in different cities, he usually came to visit her in Raleigh almost every weekend. However, his visit on Friday, December 10, 2010, was a bit more special!
While they got in the car to leave for dinner that evening, he told her that he left his wallet on the kitchen counter. Completely oblivious, she wasn’t aware that he really hadn’t forgotten his wallet; he actually went back to her apartment to hide a special box in the branches of her Christmas tree.
After a nice dinner they went back to her apartment to watch a movie. While she leaned over to plug in the Christmas tree lights, she noticed a Tiffany & Co. box nestled in the tree. Confused, she grabbed the box, turned around, and saw him on one knee. He took the box from her and untied its silk ribbon, revealing a diamond ring, and asked her to be his wife!

The Details…
Beth planned an extravagant event! She has always dreamed of a big winter wedding with lots of special touches, warmth, and elegance. This event was all about the details…
The reception was very warm, inviting, elegant, and romantic. The Cotton Room was draped in silvery-grey linens. The tables were adorned with ice blue, silver, and iridescent snow-white linens. Abundant candlelight filled the room, tall silver branch centerpieces filled the tables along with white hydrangeas and peonies, silver chivari chairs, and ornate place settings completed the winter wonderland. Their signature cocktail was a spiced pear martini called “The Perfect Pear”. Since it was December, there were two Christmas trees, and a cozy sitting area on one side of the room with a fireplace, couches and Beth + Taylor’s engagement pictures which created a very warm feel. A six tiered wedding cake adorned the adjacent side of the room.
They planned a choreographed first dance to “This Year’s Love” and did it perfectly! Later in the evening they had a decadent hot chocolate, marshmallow, gingerbread and cordial bar for their guests. They exited the reception to guests ringing jingle bells, and a hidden snow machine created a faux snow fall while they ran to the white excalibur. This was one beautiful wedding!

Crew

Ceremony | Sacred Heart Cathedral 
Reception | The Cotton Room
Bridal Prep Location | Umstead Hotel & Spa
Planner | A Southern Soiree
Photographer | Whitebox Photography
Cinematographer | Heart Stone Films
Florist | Fresh Affairs
Catering | Triangle Catering
Linens, Draping, Additional Rentals | CE Rentals 
Cake | Swank Cake Design
Lighting | Simpsound
Bride’s Dress | Alexia’s Bridal
Band | The Dickens Band
Cocktail Hour String Quartet | Arioso Strings
Bride + Bridesmaid Transportation | Olde South Trolley
Groomsmen + Reception Exit Transportation | Blue Diamond Limo 
Invitations + All Stationary | Bella Figura
Hair + Make up | GlamLounge Raleigh, Dawn Bender Carrington and Debra Goodyear

Google Review

 Jan 16, 2012
We were very pleased with the work that Heart Stone Films produced and the professional manner in which they operated. With two weeks to go before our wedding we decided that we wanted a videographer after all. We were incredibly lucky that Heart Stone was available on our date because they came highly recommended from a few of our other vendors. The video turned out beautiful and I have to completely agree with one of the previous reviews that I didn’t even notice they were there! I have also been in weddings where the camera was in your face the whole time and interrupted special moments between the bride and groom. This was not the case at all with Heart Stone. We’re so glad that we made the decision to hire them to capture our special day!

Fresh Affairs did the very first wedding I shot at the Umstead back in 2007, I walked into the ballroom and my jaw dropped and I haven’t picked it up off the floor since! It was such a magical experience for me, I was beyond impressed! Chris and I weren’t engaged at that point but I knew immediately that Lyn and the Fresh Affairs team were doing our wedding. As soon as I got my fabulous ring, I sent Lyn an email the next day and set up my consultation. I can’t tell you how much we LOVED our wedding and what he created for us, my dad was even blown away. Chris looks forward to every wedding we have with the Fresh Affairs team and Lyn somehow manages to blow his mind every time, after 4 years of working together and countless weddings, that’s quite impressive! I am happy to say that I still have my bouquet of red roses from our wedding to this day and will never part with it. Lyn and the Fresh Affairs team have been such dear friends of ours and we remain his biggest fan to this day. Thank you for the honor of capturing your incredibly talented, magical, inspiring and beautiful creations!

Be sure to register and check out the next Tabletop Extravaganza on Sunday, July 29, 2012 from 2pm to 4pm. The Tabletop Extravaganzas are held at the Fresh Affairs design center located at 4724-116 Hargrove Road in Raleigh! 

Vendors

Walters and Walters Photography
Joe Bunn DJ Company – DJ Steve Stowe
Total Production Services
Premiere Catering & Events
Sugarland
Party Reflections
Heart Stone Films
Paper Cafe

“Post it! Awesome job.  Amazing video and thank you for doing such a great job!!!!”…McQueen, Groom

Laurie + McQueen, thank you so much for choosing us to capture your incredible story! To say it was a joy to capture your wedding wouldn’t be accurate, it was a freaking awesome, adrenaline filled blast! Thank you for trusting us and doing it big, it was an awesome experience! We are thrilled for you both and wish you the absolute best!…Toni + Chris

Crew
Planner | A Southern Soiree
Ceremony| Edenton United Methodist Church
Reception | Carolina Country Club
Photographer | Walters & Walters
Cake | Tatie’s Bakeshop
Band | The Wallers
DJ | Mark McNally, Joe Bunn DJ Company
Florist | Greg Warren Flowers
Hair + Makeup | Makupforyourday
Linens + Tables | CE Rental
Photobooth | Shutterbooth

You will not find a sweeter couple than Courtney and Zandy. They met at a neighborhood bar and hit if off. While on vacation in Paris to see the Tour de France they got engaged on their last night on vacation. They were both SO EXCITED.
They chose Bay 7 because of their love of downtown Durham. Having walked by Bay 7 multiple times on date nights, they always dreamed of getting married there. The brick and vintage feel of the building was the perfect backdrop for this incredible Fall themed wedding, full of awesome details…Pumpkins, southern food, NC beers (Zandy is a bit of a beer enthusiast), beer pong, connect 4, jenga, a caricature artist, an old fashioned soda fountain, late night pizza from mellow mushroom, rubber ducks in the fountain, personalized wedding toppers of bride and groom, amazing florals, mad libs rsvp cards, and their adorable pugs made a special entrance in the ceremony. This wedding had it all and we absolutely loved every detail!
Kevin and Daniel did a great job capturing this awesome story!

“Chris and Toni, I can’t even begin to find the adequate words to tell you how pleased we are with the video. It is beyond beautiful, beyond perfect and captures our wedding day in the most intimate, authentic way. We have all teared up watching it. Thank you so much for this gift that will be treasured for the rest of our lives. You are both truly extremely talented.”…Courtney, Bride 

“Courtney + Zandy, we can honestly say that your wedding was truly unique, authentic, and special just as you both are. We were moved by the readings in your ceremony, and loved your pugs! The details that you put into this awesome day were some of our favorite! We wish you the best!”…Chris + Toni

Crew
Venue | Bay 7
Planner | Angie Wright, Chic Details Weddings & Events
Photographer | Kent Murray
Florist | Fresh Affairs
Cake Artist | Sweet Memories Bakery
Invitations/Stationary | Paperwhites
DJ | Joe Bunn, Joe Bunn DJ Company
Ceremony Musicians | Mellonbelly
Lighting | Total Production Services

Wedding Wire Review

5.0 out of 5.0	Quality of Service:		(5.0/5.0)
	Responsiveness:		(5.0/5.0)
	Professionalism:		(5.0/5.0)
	Value:		(5.0/5.0)
	Flexibility:		(5.0/5.0)